A Prince of Anahuac: A Histori-traditional Story Antedating the Aztec EmpirePorter, James A.
History
A Prince of Anahuac: A Histori-traditional Story Antedating the Aztec Empire
Porter, James A.
Mexico -- History -- To 1519 -- Fiction
Successful beyond his most sanguine expectations in the achievements
which crowned his second visit to Macua, King of Tlacopan, on which
occasion he found himself a conspicuous figure in the midst of an
assembly of men high in authority, who only required the encouragement
of a promise of success to make them the determined allies of Tezcuco
in a war with Maxtla, Euetzin's first impulse was to go immediately and
communicate the good news to the prince; but, after calmly weighing the
matter, changed his mind, and proceeded first to arrange for the
massing and equipping of the secret councils of Tezcuco preparatory to
their joining the allied army. When this work was about completed he
left the chiefs of councils to finish it, and, with Cacami and a strong
guard of Tlacopan soldiers, set out with a view to escorting Hualcoyotl
in from the mountains. At the same time he carried an urgent request
from Macua, the King, for the prince to repair to his palace, to remain
the guest of his majesty until the beginning of hostilities, when he
could take his proper position at the head of the army.
On arriving in the vicinity of Tezcot's, a suitable spot was found for
an encampment, and the soldiers were left to occupy it, while the tzin
and his companion went on to the hunter's alone.
The friends arrived at the mountaineer's house in the afternoon, and,
as luck would have it, found the hunter at home. They were received in
a very friendly manner by the family, and made to feel that they were
most welcome. Mitla was not so demonstrative as the others, but not
less happy that such was the case. She could suppress all outward
exhibition of her feelings, but could not obscure the passionate light
which shone from her dark eyes as they rested on him whom she loved to
the verge of idolatry. Euetzin saw the expression of gladness, intense
in its fervidness, which greeted him, and, while Cacami occupied the
attention of the rest of the family, found opportunity to say:
"I read my welcome in your eyes, Mitla, which are wonderfully bright
to-day, and full of gladness. Their language is better than words, for
words are sometimes deceptive."
"My eyes would always betray my feelings, yet I do not care now, for I
would have you know how truly glad I am that you are here," she
replied, the expression of pleasure deepening, if possible, in its
intensity.
"I am glad if I bring you pleasure. It is worth a longer journey than
we have made to see you looking so happy," he returned.
"I wish that words were not sometimes deceptive," she replied, putting
a marked stress on the expression which she borrowed from him, "then
would I, indeed, be happy at hearing you say that."
"You do not doubt my sincerity, Mitla?" he questioned, slightly
confused at having his own words applied to himself.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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